With a record of 37-45, the New York Knicks are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are 2.5 games clear of the sixth-place Brooklyn Nets and 3.5 games behind the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks still have a challenging schedule ahead of them with 10 of their last 12 games against teams that are present in the playoff hunt. They have won six of their previous seven games, though, so they have been playing well lately. They have a chance to end the season in fourth place or even higher if they can maintain their current level of performance. The following 3 elements could decide where the Knicks finish this season:

1. The Knicks' players have been generally healthy this season, although they have missed significant amounts of time with certain key players out. They will have a much better chance of reaching the playoffs if they can stay healthy going into the final stretch.

2. The Knicks have a handful of youthful players that are filling key positions for them in their game. These players will provide the Knicks with a far better chance of winning games if they keep developing.

3. Julius Randle's performance: This season, Julius Randle has been the Knicks' best player. The Knicks will have a lot more chance of making the playoffs if he can maintain his high level of play.

Overall I think that the Knicks will end up finishing in fourth or fifth place and probably be playing the Cavs in the playoffs. The Knicks are a team that is a threat in the playoffs but I sadly wouldn't consider them contenders.